EU Missions two years on: assessment of progress and way forward

Summary:

Communication published by the European Commission on 19 July 2023, reporting on the outcome of an assessment of EU Missions and sketching the way forward for this instrument.

Further information:

Mission-based public policy involves setting ambitious and specific yet attainable goals and directing public and private resources, research and innovation (R&I) efforts, and public engagement towards meeting them within a specified timeframe. The approach was pioneered in Horizon Europe, the European Union's (EU) funding programme for R&I, as part of its expanded toolbox of instruments.

Horizon Europe identified five Mission Areas where challenges could be effectively addressed in a mission-based approach. These areas are:

• Adaptation to Climate Change, including Societal Transformation;
• Cancer;
• Healthy Oceans, Seas, Coastal and Inland Waters;
• Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities;
• Soil Health and Food.

The European Commission has launched thus far five EU Missions, based on reports from dedicated Mission Boards that assessed the maturity of technological and social innovation in these areas. For each Mission, detailed Mission Implementation Plans were drafted, using the Mission criteria of Horizon Europe legal base as starting point.

Regulation (EU) 2021/695 requires an assessment of EU Missions no later than in 2023. This assessment is as much one of the individual Missions as of the Missions instrument as such, and a review of the Mission Areas. The Staff Working Document (SWD) accompanying this Communication presents the results of this assessment and provides ‘self-assessments’ for each Mission. The assessment of the selection process also identified gaps and triggered reflections on the possibility of launching additional Missions across the five Areas. This Communication sets out the main findings of a thorough assessment of EU Missions and sketches the way forward for this instrument.

Official

EUR-LEX: SWD(2023)260: Staff Working Document accompanying the Communication - EU Missions two years on: An assessment of progress in shaping the future we want and reporting on the review of Mission Areas and areas for institutionalised partnerships based on Articles 185 and 187 TFEU https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=SWD:2023:260:FIN

European Commission: Research and Innovation: Funding Opportunities: EU Missions in Horizon Europe https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe/eu-missions-horizon-europe_en

European Commission: Press Release, 19/07/2023: Horizon Europe: EU Missions on track to meet their 2030 ambition towards a greener and healthier continent https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_3931

European Commission: Questions and Answers - Horizon Europe: EU Missions on track to meet their 2030 ambition towards a greener and healthier continent (19 July 2023) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/QANDA_23_3932

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